Ronald L. Godbee, author of Why Leaders Fail, serves as the lead pastor of the River church in Durham, North Carolina.  Through hands-on leadership, teaching and mentoring, Pastor Godbee continues to develop the vision established by his predecessors (Bishop Joby Brady and Pastor Sheryl Brady) of building lives, building loyalty, and building legacy. Many are well versed with the words of “the great commission” written in Matthew 28:19. Ronald Godbee has been in covenant with God to crystallize this commission. Since accepting Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior, Pastor Godbee has pursued the mandate of God to seek and save souls through the preaching of the gospel. Pastor Godbee’s greatest decision was to first choose Christ and secondly choose Karla Godbee as his wife. They are the proud parents of three lovely children Kindale, Ronald Jr, and Kharrington.

After being faithful to his calling as a traveling Evangelist he heard a Clarion call from God and established the Inner Court Christian Center in the heart of the inner city of Detroit, MI. Pastor Godbee developed the Inner Court, Christian Center to have a holistic approach towards ministry with the mind of Christ, to minister to the whole person both inside and outside the walls of the church. Pastor Godbee Crafted Inner Court, Christian Center to become a model of 21st-century ministry where manifesting the glory of God through worship was the mandate. With worship as its thrust and the love of God as its reason, Inner Court, Christian Center impacted the lives of the lost. As God saturated the environment of this worship Center ministry, all who attended were radically transformed to the glory of God.

During Pastor Godbee’s time of ministry in the city of Detroit he was appointed by Presiding Prelate Bishop Edgar L. Vann II to serve as general overseer and executive Council member of the kingdom Alliance Covenant Fellowship. Pastor Godbee’s ministry has been highlighted in many forms of Christian media including both television and radio. Pastor Godbee is noted for us hosting skills and has been a regular host on many Christian talk shows. One of his notable achievements in media included co hosting with Bishop Greg Davis on “Rejoice In The Word”. Pastor Godbee’s anointed voice can be heard over the airwaves across the nation glorifying God and edifying the body of Christ.

Pastor Godbee brings a wealth of true worship experience connected to an unapologetic love of the Lord from the heart of a servant leader to his newly appointed position as the Lead Pastor of The River church in Durham, North Carolina where he continues to serve God’s people with a humble and submitted heart.  The River Church is experiencing steady hand healthy growth under his leadership and is moving towards being a model ministry in the wonderful state of North Carolina. Pastor Godbee’s transformative message, passion of worship and love for people has given him the touch of God for these times.